Chapter 4 #2
“It’s not something I’ve ever felt the need to broadcast, but yeah…
I’ve always been attracted to women.” Something in the air shifted between them.
Jo hoped Amelia wasn’t upset that she hadn’t told her about her sexuality.
It just wasn’t something that had ever come up in conversation before.
She’s a lesbian. How has it never come up before?
Jo quickly shifted on the couch and settled beside Amelia.
“Hey, I know it’s been a rough six months or so for me, but I wanted to thank you for being there through it all. ”
“You needed a shoulder. I have two.”
“I know, but I didn’t expect you to stand by me when he left. I expected you to take Callum’s side. And rightfully so.”
“My son is an idiot who lost the best thing that ever happened to him,” Amelia said as her hand covered Jo’s. The warmth of her touch sent a shiver up Jo’s arm. “If he can’t see that, then that’s on him. But I wasn’t going to cut you from my life just because he made several stupid mistakes.”
“Well, I appreciate that. I appreciate you, Amelia.”
Amelia’s cheeks flushed, but it hadn’t been Jo’s intention to embarrass her. Still, it had needed to be said. It was important to Jo that Amelia knew she had saved her on more than one occasion lately. She deserved to know she was appreciated.
“I mean it. I don’t know what I would have done without you.
” Jo sat back and slowly drew Amelia’s hand into her lap.
“And you’ll be pleased to know that I won’t be coming here anymore to offload on you.
You saw me through the worst of it, and after last night, I’m ready to live my life and enjoy it how I see fit.
No more wallowing. No more locking myself away. ”
Amelia nodded slowly, staring down at her cup. “You don’t need me now…therefore, you won’t be coming over anymore.”
“Oh, no. That’s not what I’m saying. Not at all.
” Jo turned fully to Amelia and smiled. So many times over the years, she had wanted to reach out and touch Amelia, to let her fingers glide through that gorgeous dark hair.
They gazed back at one another, and as Amelia’s dark eyes met hers, Jo felt that pull all over again.
“Hey, I’m not abandoning you. Never. I just want you to know that life is changing for me. That I’m happy again.”
“And it’s all because of this mystery woman at a sex club?”
Jo let out a breath, her eyes wide. “Yeah. I guess it is.”
“Then I hope you continue to enjoy those moments with one another.” Amelia squeezed Jo’s hand before gently pulling away, but her touch would linger in Jo’s memory. It often did when they were this close to one another. “What time are you heading there? Do you have time to stay a bit longer?”
“Oh, I’m not booked into the room until eight.
Decided to take care of that this morning before I moved from my bed.
” Jo laughed, shaking her head at her own impulsiveness.
But maybe impulsiveness was good. It certainly beat sitting at home expecting life to just change by itself.
“I was worried someone else would book in before me.”
“It sounds to me like fate if the room was available for you again tonight.” Amelia winked as she rose from the couch and disappeared into the kitchen.
“Hey, Amelia?” Jo followed, hovering in the doorway when her nerves threatened to get the better of her.
“Did you want to head out one night and get dinner together? This week or next…whenever you’re not snowed under with work?
” Amelia’s dedication to her work—a property developer for the local council by day, a house flipper by night—meant she was rarely available at the drop of a hat, but Jo was in no rush here.
She had all the time in the world to sit around having dinner with Amelia.
Amelia turned, her brows lifting with surprise. “Me? Why?”
“My way of saying thank you for being there for me.” Jo tried to sound casual and as though her heart wasn’t hammering in her chest. If this woman wasn’t basically her ex-mother-in-law, she may have tried her luck long ago.
But she was, and Jo had to remember that.
“If you’d rather not, that’s okay. But I wanted to offer anyway. ”
“I’d love to go out for dinner with you. Just let me know which evening suits you, and I’ll make myself available.”
“Oh. Great. Yeah, that would be lovely.” Though Jo was shocked Amelia had agreed, she wouldn’t show it. “You’re not just doing this because you think you have to, are you?”
Amelia slowly sauntered across the kitchen and stopped in front of Jo. When she lifted a hand and brushed her fingertips across Jo’s cheek, it took everything within Jo not to lean into her touch. “Relax. I want to have dinner with you.”
Jo swallowed down whatever the fuck she was feeling, the touch burning her skin while Amelia’s perfume sent her dizzy.
As Amelia drifted back into the living room without another word, Jo stood frozen for a moment, the kitchen suddenly holding a million memories.
She’d spent so many hours in here, crying and feeling lost…
certain she was unlovable. But something had shifted.
The air didn’t feel so miserable here anymore.
No, it felt electric…maybe even hopeful.
She didn’t want that to change. The softness of Amelia’s fingertips had felt too good against her skin. But most of all, they’d felt…familiar.
She’s never touched you like that before. It can’t possibly be familiar.